The 7 Best Counter-Depth Fridges to Buy in 2018

Shop for the best small refrigerators for your kitchen

Our kitchens are a major focal point of our homes, and one of the most used areas. And thankfully, nowadays there are a variety of styles of counter depth fridges that fit perfectly into any home. You can easily decide between side by side, top freezer, bottom freezer, and French door styles.

Counter-depth models come in virtually every style (side-by-side, French doors, bottom or top freezer), and most are about 28 inches deep, which can be up to a foot less than the super high capacity units on...MORE the market. Those few saved inches make a huge difference to an already-congested work triangle area, particularly if your kitchen has an island or a galley layout. Aesthetically, counter-depth designs are sleek, and you don’t see much of the sides of the fridge, which can be an eyesore in a designer kitchen. Counter-depth refrigerators can also be easier to reach into, making loading, unloading and cleaning the fridge a simpler task overall.

Of course, there's a trade-off in purchasing a counter-depth model, namely that they are generally smaller, and therefore hold less. Because of their small size, they also tend to be less energy-efficient. But if you live in a home where every square inch in the kitchen counts, then a counter-depth fridge is a no-brainer. Just be forewarned that since they are slightly less common they might also have a bit higher price tag than comparable full size models. If you’re shopping for a regular sized fridge, check out our guide to the best refrigerators to buy right now.

Ready to find the right counter-depth machine for your kitchen? Read on for four picks that'll keep your produce crisp, beverages cold and kitchen looking sleek.

Best Overall Counter Depth Fridge: Frigidaire Gallery 22.6 Cu. Ft.

If you’re in the market for a stylish, mid-range French Door refrigerator that will check all the boxes and blend in seamlessly with your counters, this Energy Star-rated Frigidaire is a great pick. It has a spacious 22-cubic-foot interior — big enough for most families — and a smudge-resistant finish that actually repels little fingerprints, unlike most stainless steel.

One of the best features of this Frigidaire is its very customizable storage, with adjustable shelves that can flip up or slide...MORE under to accommodate taller items that would otherwise be a tricky fit. The crispers can also be set side by side or stacked, and there is an adjustable divider in the freezer. Experts give it very good marks for temperature, efficiency, and noise, and owners love all the space. But some report issues with the ice maker, saying it either quit working or simply doesn’t make enough ice. The fridge is backed by a one-year warranty.

Best High-End Counter Depth Fridge: LG French Door Refrigerator

A roomy French door fridge does not come at a low price. However, LG especially designed this fridges to seamlessly fit into your kitchen without any woes. And with a 10-year manufacturer's limited warranty your investment is in good hands. With LG’s Slim SpacePlus Ice System, you are getting the best use out of every inch of this appliance and is able to hold up to twenty-four bags of groceries at a time.

This model is available in stainless steel and black stainless steel finishes and holds...MORE the titles of being the largest capacity fridge of its class. Large families can definitely benefit from LG’s French Door Refrigerator. Equipped with LG’s Smart Cooling System, this model is sure to maintain the perfect amount of humidity and temperature levels to keep your food fresh for longer periods of time.

The built-in water and ice dispenser are one of the tallest in the market. Go ahead and fill up your favorite reusable water bottles and pitchers without a struggle. The LT700PC water and ice filter provide protection for up to six months. This model also features a fresh air filter to deodorize your fridge for six months at a time.

Perhaps you’ve watched one too many home décor shows and have fallen in love with the idea of a ‘hidden’ fridge and freezer combo. Panel ready options mean that they blend easily with your kitchen cabinets to almost conceal the appliance. It is a kind of finish that really depends on one’s personal preference and kitchen style.

Fortunately, KitchenAid has designed an attainable line of panel ready fridges. Their French Door Refrigerator in Panel Ready hides a convenient interior water dispenser...MORE gives you and your family access to clean, filtered water with the EveryDrop ice and water filter which is NSF certified.

Interior smart controls also allow you access to door alarm, a max cool option, and a holiday/Sabbath mode. This model features an ExtendFresh management system which automatically senses​ the temperature in your fridge and freezer, and adjusts accordingly. All of the shelves are adjustable and made with Spill Control. You can move around your shelves to quickly clean up and play around with compartments. There is no doubt that this investment gives you the best features along with a beautiful fit in your kitchen.

Best Budget Counter Depth Fridge: Danby DFF100C1BSLDB Refrigerator

If you are looking to purchase a counter depth fridge for your small home, or apartment, then Danby has you covered with their DFF100C1BSLDB Refrigerator with Top-Mount Freezer. You can buy this model in stainless steel or black finishes. If you are looking for a standard design that holds the basics then you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank. Your small kitchen deserves to feel loved too, no matter its size.

The freezer and fridge have separate, independent electronic controls for your...MORE convenience. You also get a large-sized crisper with an appealing glass cover. Each of the glass shelves are also adjustable so you can change up your space based on what you plan on storing for the week. The door hinges are also reversible so you don’t have to worry about getting a counter depth fridge that opens in a certain direction.

You get 10 cubic feet of space that instantly, and smoothly fits into your kitchen without hitch. The bright interior LED lights will keep your items totally visible during any time of the day or night.

If your biggest concerns with purchasing a counter depth fridge are having one that is energy efficient and making it fit into your tiny, compact kitchen, then you’re in luck. Many counter depth fridge models are tall and wide to make up for any lack in depth. The EcoSolarCool Solar Refrigerator is small and compact with a European inspired design to seamlessly fit into your kitchen.

It is only 9.2 cubic feet, and features EcoSolarCool’s exclusive metal gray finish. If you couldn’t already tell...MORE by the title, this fridge was designed to one of the most energy efficient items on the market. Of course, this model also requires solar panel, battery and 15 amp solar charge controller.

As you would expect from a European designed this fridge is a quiet compact model. Keep in mind that the freezer is very small, as it’s not the main focus of this design. However, if you are an energy efficient consumer, freezing items is probably not your main need for this fridge.

Best French Door Counter Depth Fridge: Samsung French Door Refrigerator

French door fridges are beautiful, and one of the most popular styles today. This model will give you one of the most options in finishes; you can choose from stainless steel, platinum, black and white finishes. This specific fridge was created with small, narrow spaces in mind, measuring at just 33-inches in width.

The Samsung French Door Refrigerator features an automatically filtered ice maker, and Samsung’s exclusive Twin Cooling System to help keep your food fresher for longer amounts of...MORE time. This fridge also comes with an EZ-Open handle on the freezer portion so you’re not stuck having to tug hard to get it open like other models.

You get two humidity-controlled crispers on either side and tempered glass shelves so you can easily cleaning up any messes. The built-in door alarm lets you know if you accidentally leave your fridge or freezer doors open. LED lighting stays bright to let you see exactly what you are doing when opening the freezer and fridge.

Just when you though French door designs couldn’t get any better, Haier created a unique design with their Quad French Door Freezer Refrigerator, which is just like it sound — a four-door fridge and freezer. You get an affordable built-in look with a special design that you and your family can enjoy.

Haier’s Quick Cool and Quick Freeze options allow you to give your food an extra boost of cool air to quickly cool your fridge or freezer when putting in new groceries. This fridge offers a Sabbath...MORE mode, which disables certain options to accompany and oblige to Shabbat-observing practices. You also get a Dedicated High-Humidity Controlled Crisper with HCS Filter which gives your crisper the perfect temperature to store leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables.

This model gives you all of the room that you could ever dream of in both the fridge and freezer. You get six enclosed door bins, two sliding freezer drawers, four sliding bins, and adjustable tempered glass shelves. It’s your fridge, so why not arrange it your way?

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